Most of us would have seen this type of mushroom before, one of it's common names is the
Fly Agaric Mushroomand it's botanical name is Amanita muscaria, they are mycorrhizal fungi which
means they have a mutalistic relationship with nearby plants, in Australia the companion plants for this species are
mostly but not always Radiata Pine. Amanita mushrooms rise just before the Winter solstice and so are
not affected by cold temperatures, the cap is bright red with white highlights.

Amanita are an introduced species being common in many parts of the world and are one of the oldest known
hallicinogens, they are not related to the Gold Tops of Hippy fame but are a mushroom with deep spiritual and
ritualistic significance in early civilisations from Siberia right through to India, Pagan Laplanders used a drink made
from Amanita mushrooms called "Soma" for hallucinogenic enlightenment, and some say this gave rise to the legend
of a man flying with his reindeer, the red cap with white garnishing very closely resembling our modern day Santa suit.

One source claimed that Christian religion borrowed some traditions from their Pagan ancestors and so
in the northern hemisphere they have Amanita mushrooms, the winter solstice and Christmas all in a one
week period, for us in the southern hemisphere we have Amanita mushrooms, the winter solstice and Christmas in July,

WARNING, The active ingredients in Amanita muscaria may be poisonous or toxic,
Ingesting any amount of this plant may be extremely dangerous or result in fatality.